Algarve

Individual arrival in Sagres. Discover the coastal town with its impressive fortress or enjoy the nearby beaches.

Starting point of today’s cycling tour: the famous Cape St. Vincent lighthouse at the most southwestern point of continental Europe. Enjoy great views from the top of the cliffs, which rise 75m above the sea. On your bicycle you will pass green fields and gentle hills with pinewood until you reach the fishing village of Salema. Next stop is Burgauer beach, also well-known as Portuguese Santorini. Further to the famous Ponta da Piedade, a natural heritage with steep cliffs, one of the most famous postcard pictures of the Algarve. You will stay overnight in the harbour town of Lagos, which played a key roll in the age of Portuguese discoveries.

On cycle paths you will reach Meia beach, where you will have the first possibility to swim in the sea today. During low tide you can watch countless clammers searching for delicacies. In Odiáxere you should visit the church from the 16th century. In Alvor you can explore the market Morabito de São Pedro and stroll along the small alleys. Feel free to make a break in one of the typical restaurants to taste fresh fish dishes. Go further along the coast with fantastic viewpoints. Enjoy Praia da Rocha beach shortly before Portimao, your town to stay overnight.

At the beginning you will cycle on a riverside cycle path at Arade river. On the opposite site the village Ferragudo is located with its beautiful church and fantastic view onto the river outfall. On secondary roads and paths you will cycle through olive, cypress, orange, pine, fig and cork oak trees. In Lagoa you can taste traditional Portuguese pastries and visit the chapel of Senhora da Rocha, a cultic site for Visigoths and Muslims, which sits enthroned on a cliff above the sea. Enjoy the many beaches in Armação de Pêra and choose the best one for yourself. Birdwatching can be done in the laguna of Salgados. You will stay overnight in lively Albufeira, one of the most famous holiday resorts of the Algarve.

In the fishing village of Olhos de Água your first stop could be the fine sandy beach. Cycle through an area with pine, olive, cork oak, palms and some carob trees and enjoy the fresh sea breeze. Vilamoura has one of the biggest marinas of Portugal. In Quarteira you can visit the market for fish and regional products and you can cycle around the lagoon of Foz do Almargem. The nature park of Ria Formosa, one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal, offers a huge variety of bird species. In the fishing village of Praia de Faro traditions were kept and stayed alive until today. The stage will end in the marina of Faro, the capital of the Algarve. The arch and the cathedral are some of the highlights you can visit in the famous old town.

Towards Olhão you will cycle through the nature park of Ria Formosa, pass salt pans and look out for the islands in front of the coast. Visit the busy Mercado Municipal in Olhão. The route to Tavira leads you through landscapes with olive and fig trees, pines and cacti. In the fishing village of Fuseta the typical white houses with terraces await you. Enjoy the traditional cuisine of this region, most famous for calamari dishes. The stage ends on the roman bridge in the centre of Tavira. Some of the highlights are the beautiful palace, the church of Misericórdia and the Camera Obscura.

Today’s roundtrip starts in Tavira, one of the most beautiful and typical towns of the Algarve. From the roman bridge you will cycle along the nature park of Ria Formosa with its lagoon to Cabanas de Tavira. You will have several beaches on your way. Further through the pinewood at Monte Gordo beach and the dune forest of Vila Real de Santo António until you reach Guadiana river, the natural border between Portugal and Spain. Cycle along the Portuguese riverside. The square of Marquês de Pombal is the towns landmark. Go back to Tavira with the bicycle or train (not incl.)